As an AKC Judge, I recently received this reminder:
“AKC Judging Operations Department strongly advises that all judges should ask the exhibitor to show the bite/open the mouth when conducting oral exams.
This is being sent to you for the safety and welfare of our dogs in consideration of the fact that reports of cases of Canine Influenza have resurfaced in recent weeks. This recommendation is consistent with information included in The Rules, Policies and Guidelines for Conformation Dog Show Judges under Evaluating a Dog’s Mouth (page 14), “Many exhibitors prefer to open their dog’s mouth themselves for examination. It is recommended that all judges ask the exhibitor to display the bite/teeth/open the mouth as appropriate for that breed. However, you have the authority to personally open the dog’s mouth.”
Example of a lovely underjaw: Ballyhara Dior
It is a shame that international judges who demonstrate an obsession with dentition and who insist on scrutinizing canines, incisors, and molars are not versed in or with AKC's "Rules, Policies, and Guidelines for Conformation Dog Show Judges." If they did they would find that the AKC handbook states, "Study of the approved breed standard will define the proper oral exam for that breed. A necessary component of completing a breed specific examination is to conduct the appropriate oral exam when evaluating the dog’s mouth." Those familiar with the IWCA Breed standard know that it does not denote bite.
Having just attended the IWCA National, yet again, we experienced, first-hand, another international judge who demonstrated a difference of opinion from the IWCA approved breed standard but as well, a streak of independence from the American Kennel Club's strongly worded advisement that all judges should ask the exhibitor to show the bite/open the mouth when conducting oral exams.
This particular judge did sanitize his hands though not routinely. I say this because, despite his having practiced judging methods, judges can miss a step. To illustrate, in Veteran Bitch class I observed the same judge examine one or more veteran females where he did not inspect bites. However, when I presented my nine-year-old, he thoroughly examined her bite. Moreover, over the course of the show I presented two other entries in which the judge did not return to his sanitizer before proceeding with an oral exam. Out of respect as an AKC Judge, I courteously did not point out this inconsistency, but nonetheless, it did occur. It takes just one mistake of not spreading the sanitizer thoroughly or simply forgetting to disinfect one time to spread canine diseases and from this point forward; I will request that I show the bite.
As a disclaimer, my hounds have excellent dentition with strong, squared underjaws, save for just an old veteran whose one canine is awry.